CD3 vs CD3.5 and CD5

Posted by: Giles Felgate on 01 March 2001

Dear all, at the moment I'm looking at acquiring a new(ish) cd player, either a CD3, CD3.5 or CD5, running into a 72/Hi-cap/250/SF Concertinos. Whilst price is a consideration, if a CD5 is what is deemed suitable it will be acquired.

Anyway, I have a 5 year old CD3 on loan for about four days, for sale for about one third of the price of a CD5. My question is what differences are there between the 3, 3.5 and 5 both in terms of sound quality and hardware/software. For example,I read somwhere that other than the upgradibility of *-caps for the 3.5 and the 5, that there had been significant changes to the software coding over the 3. Anyone able to comment on this or other changes/differences etc. Comments on probable longevity would also be appreciated.

Thanks for any responses.

Giles"

Posted on: 03 March 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes

I borrowed, on long term loan, a CD3 from a colleague a few years back and it didn't really 'do it' for me, particularly when compared with my vinyl front end.

I now own a CD5 + PSU and find it much more involving and easy to listen to. It's not quite up to my LP12, but it does play music, and I don't hanker after vinyl whilst listening to it.

I think the CD5 is fantastic.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com